"Decoding the Persistence: The Secret of Indelible Voter Ink in Elections 2024"

How a Blend of Chemistry and Technology Safeguards Democracy

As the 2024 Lok Sabha election kicks off, a fascinating revelation emerges about the enduring presence of voter ink on fingertips. Have you ever pondered why this indelible mark persists for days on end?

The iconic purple hue, emblematic of a citizen exercising their democratic right, is a concoction of chemicals, dyes, and a key ingredient – silver nitrate. Crafted to thwart electoral fraud, this ink boasts a unique composition that ensures its resilience.

Upon contact with the skin, silver nitrate swiftly interacts with the body's natural salts, undergoing a rapid transformation into silver chloride within a mere 40 seconds. Once this chemical bond forms, it defies ordinary attempts at removal, defying water's cleansing power and enduring for a span of 2 to 30 days.

While the precise concentration of silver nitrate remains a guarded secret, falling within a range of 7 to 25 percent, its efficacy in safeguarding the sanctity of the electoral process is indisputable. Originating from the laboratories of the National Physical Laboratory in Delhi, the indelible ink finds its sole manufacturer in Mysore Paints and Varnish Limited.

According to reports, the Election Commission has placed a substantial order exceeding 26 lakh vials of this indispensable ink for the upcoming election season. Remarkably, a single vial containing 10 mg can effectively mark up to 700 voters, highlighting the efficiency and economy of this pivotal electoral tool.

With a reported expenditure of Rs 55 crore, the acquisition of this ink underscores the government's commitment to preserving the integrity of the electoral process. As citizens queue up to cast their ballots, the enduring presence of voter ink serves as a tangible symbol of democracy's resilience and the collective will to uphold its principles.

Reference:

www.thebetterindia.com